I've flown it about 3 1/2 times, the half time being the swash plate leveling. I got the swash pretty dialed in for the most part(thanks klondikes). I've read up on the blade leveling, my tail vibrates a little and I think it's due to the blades. I planning on buying a couple of DN power batteries seeing as how I've found some good posts about those. I just ordered my boom and skids from boomtownhobbies. I do have one question/comment... I've seen a post that talks about the e-flite battery that says the charger doesn't balance the batteries, well mine does. I bought a DMM(digital multi meter) and my bat. after a flight usually reads a difference of .5 vdc on each cell. One cell is usually 3.00 and the other 3.40-3.50, then after the charger they are both at 4.19-4.20. Now my question, is the .5 vdc difference after flight a concern?

Thanks in advance

A concern is that the open circuit voltage of one cell is 3.0 volts. That means that the voltage on that cell while loaded at the end of flight was probably 2.5 volts or possibly lower. This isn't good for your battery. I'd end your flights sooner. The best way to go is to use an in flight voltage monitor. An alternative is to measure the battery voltage under load at set time intervals in order to determine how long you can fly without the battery going below 3.0v/cell under load. Typical is 9 to 10 minutes with the stock motors, a little longer with the 180 BB motors. If you shorten your flight times you can expect to have your batteries last longer.

Welcome to the addiction Krash3k. I have a pair of the DN Power LiPo's and they are the ones I reach for first every time. I have a 7.4v 850mAh 15c 2 cell Li-Po from cx2parts.com on order. They are priced real nice. I will see how it works.

As for the .5V difference after flying, that is a little more than would be expected. And the one cell at 3.0V with no load is a little concerning as Rob Hair mentions. Under load the vlotage is even lower and into the over-discharged range. I do not know why your LiPo would do that. Normally different cells within a LiPo will dicharge at different rates often caused by different heat in each cell but not normally .5V difference. See how the DN Power LiPos measure up after flight when you get them. Might be a problem within the LiPo itself.

klondikes

Originally Posted by Rob Hair

A concern is that the open circuit voltage of one cell is 3.0 volts. That means that the voltage on that cell while loaded at the end of flight was probably 2.5 volts or possibly lower. This isn't good for your battery. I'd end your flights sooner. The best way to go is to use an in flight voltage monitor. An alternative is to measure the battery voltage under load at set time intervals in order to determine how long you can fly without the battery going below 3.0v/cell under load. Typical is 9 to 10 minutes with the stock motors, a little longer with the 180 BB motors. If you shorten your flight times you can expect to have your batteries last longer.

Hey Rob, What are the 180 BB (I am assuming Ball Bearing) motors and where do you get them?
Thanks in advance

ScottGTO:
They are ball bearing motors from Miracle Mart. They are also available from a US source: http://www.slickzero.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=Upgrades

I consider these to be a worthwhile upgrade because the motors run so much cooler - I expect them to last longer. The rudder trim drift is also significantly reduced.

See:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638388

How long before you get the batteries cx2parts.com klondikes? I am assuming you got on the pre-order list for their new batteries. No? The ones from cx2parts(if I order 2) are about the same price as the 2pack of DN power from xushobby.com. So if the cx2parts ones seem better let me know.
Thanks

Thanks Rob. Just installed Stersman's boom, awesome. Now just need to find lower cost batteries, E-flite swash and upper&lower rotor assy's on the list

Originally Posted by Rob Hair

ScottGTO:
They are ball bearing motors from Miracle Mart. They are also available from a US source: http://www.slickzero.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=Upgrades

I consider these to be a worthwhile upgrade because the motors run so much cooler - I expect them to last longer. The rudder trim drift is also significantly reduced.

See:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638388

Just had a couple bad crashes today. The first just smashed the two from canopy holders all to hell. No the canopy holder on the lower front doesn't do a whole lot. Second crash I snapped a blade in half and bent my fly bar a little. I got the fly bar as straight as I could, but is that bad and should I get a new one?
Thanks

Also those ball bearing motors sound nice, but I can't find them on the U.S. source.

Well I flew a pack tonight after the boomtown stuff installed. I have a real bad vibration. It was there prior to the new boom, little less noticeable now with the carbon tail but I think it is causing my battery to lose juice faster maybe due to the gyro having to correct the wobble. I think I have a bent flybar, and the last time it was apart I noticed the outer shaft was a little bent. Maybe this is the issue. BTW. I just got back from the lhs and picked up Alum Swash, upper and lower alum rotor assy, and alum bearing cup.. Here is some pics

I've read that unbalanced blades will cause the tail vibration. I noticed a vibration in my tail(stock) and then I balanced the blades and the vibration was then unnoticeable. Also I did a full load volt test on my battery today, it looks like under full throttle the battery voltage drops about .30 vdc.(I did this full load test when my cells where both at about 3.84 and they both dropped to about 3.54/I did the cells at separate times.) So when I ran my batt. down to when one cell was 3.00 vdc, I probably only loaded it enough to just dip below 3 volts. I would notice it losing power so I would set it down then just give it about half a stick and it wouldn't lift so I know the batt. is low. Hopefully my boom and skids from Jamie will be here Friday or Saturday.

Hopefully you haven't damaged the LiPo. I will try to balance the blades tomorrow and I put the al stuff on tonite, will need to level the swash and what not hope to be smooth flying tomorrow.

Just got my boom and skids from Jamie and what a difference it made in ease of flying. My only problem is I crashed it yesterday and hadn't spooled up after the crash until I installed the new parts. Well I fired it up today and my lower drive gear is missing a tooth, the place closet to me that sells parts closed over an hour ago. Well I ordered new batteries(DN power) from Jamie and those should be here a few days. I assuming it will be bad to fly the heli with the missing tooth(well I flew it for about 7 min. today to try out the boom), so I guess I'll have to wait.

-Adam

Cool. I think I have 2 issues causing the wobble/vibration. I balanced my blades which helped a bit. My outer shaft is bent and I also have a bent flybar. I hope to find this carbon one: read post #1167
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...607057&page=78
The boom is awesome and the skids too. Let me know what you think of the DN battery.

Originally Posted by Krash3k

How long before you get the batteries cx2parts.com klondikes? I am assuming you got on the pre-order list for their new batteries. No? The ones from cx2parts(if I order 2) are about the same price as the 2pack of DN power from xushobby.com. So if the cx2parts ones seem better let me know.
Thanks

Yes, I have pre-ordered the LiPo from CX2parts.com. The web site says they are due in June. 850mAh 15 C for $16.99, nice price. I will post a review when I get mine and try it out.

klondikes

I have an idea for charging the batteries in your car and wondering if anyone else has done this. At a local department store they sell 12v cigarette lighter plugs with just the wires hanging out. So I'm thinking I could use this to charge if I'm driving and keep an eye on it. I would hate to clip it to the battery under my hood and drive away.

-Adam